Browns fans brace as Modell up for Hall of Fame

For countless Browns fans, time has not healed. Art Modell’s move remains an open wound.

And even in death, he torments them.

Modell, the late Cleveland owner credited with helping the NFL grow in prominence but whose decision to relocate his franchise to Baltimore 17 years ago obscures his accomplishments, is one of 15 finalists up for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Modell’s case for induction — he was also a finalist in 2002 — could spark the liveliest debate in New Orleans on Saturday among 46 Hall of Fame committee members, who will select between four and seven new members on the eve of the Ravens meeting the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl.

His supporters contend Modell helped create America’s most popular sport.

His detractors will never forget one despicable deed.

“It would be a terrible thing for the NFL if he ever got in,” said Michelle DiBartolo, president of Canton’s chapter of the Browns Backers, a worldwide fan club of more than 100,000. “I haven’t met one Browns fan who said he deserves it. Anyway, he doesn’t have the qualifications. How do you put Art Modell next to Paul Brown? That blows my mind.”

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, a Hall of Fame tight end in Cleveland, believes Modell’s contributions warrant a bronze bust.

“You look at what Art has done for this league,” said Newsome, hired by Modell to run the Ravens. “He was involved in the collective bargaining agreement, involved in the TV deal, involved in the merger, won a championship in ‘64, won a Super Bowl. He had diversity, the first one to hire an African American. You look at the body of work, why shouldn’t he be in it? If this game is as good as it is today — we all think we have a very good game — then Art was the architect.”

Modell’s critics point to him uprooting one of the league’s cornerstone teams as indisputable evidence he doesn’t belong in the hall.

“It overshadows all his accomplishments,” said Tony Grossi, a selection committee voter since 1999. “It can’t be dismissed.”

As one of those who will help elect Canton’s class of 2013, Grossi, who has covered the Browns since 1984, feels a responsibility to state the case against Modell. He will speak once Modell is presented for consideration by a representative from Baltimore’s market.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti understands Cleveland’s pain. He witnessed Baltimore fans rebel when the Colts went to Indianapolis, so he can relate.

He just hopes Modell gets his due.

“I’m not even asking Cleveland to forgive,” he said. “I just don’t know that Cleveland’s rabid fans should be the reason that they keep him out. Because it seems like a spite thing and not a legitimate ‘let’s look at the resume thing’ and that’s really what I hope changes this year.”